Gulp...


So I have had a 2008 base MT 350Z for about a year now and have put approx 6600 miles on it. I got in the car the other day and noticed a whine (sounds just like a blower, but not as loud) that is very distinct especially in 3rd gear starting at about 3000 rpm. You can hear it in all gears but its most noticable in higher gears as cruising with less engine noise makes it noticable.

If I push in the clutch, it stops.

I've not really driven the car hard, because Ive never had such a nice car. I've not tracked it or anything.

I've had a Mazdaspeed 3 in the past which Ive tracked, an Si which I tracked, and never had problems like this so I really dont know what to expect.

Looking around on the internets, it seems to be that it could be my final drive in the rear? I'm going to take it up to the dealer next week, and I have a week of long-distance travel required for work this week... soo I hope it doesnt throw me any suprises.

Should I mention anything specifically at the dealer, or should I be worried about getting denied or anything for warranty work?



This has been far and away my favorite car (well ok the MS3 was pretty awesome for the money, but still....)

 

since you say that if you push in the clutch it stops, im assuming that its the trans chatter.

Is this the same noise you hear, if you sit at idle with the clutch out?

 

I don't hear it at all sitting in idle, it grows in pitch directly with RPM. It doesnt vary too much, but theres for example a intensity/pitch difference for sure at 3800 compared to 2800, and its louder at 3800.

Since my test drive 2nd has been very ahm.... clunky but I never had a problem with it not going in or grinding so I assumed it was just business as usual. I have always had some whine when at around those revs in 1st and maybe 2nd. For sure in 1st though it whines like gear whine if at around 3000rpm driving around holding those revs. Its similar to that. Its pretty loud.

I'll make sure to listen for it idling when I go out to the car in a bit and even go listen to the rear end to see if I hear anything

 

i have the same exact whining noise...only as i go higher in rpms...have an 06 6mt with only drop in k&n, i did some searching and it seems like it is normal but im still unsure...

 

oh, in that case, i almost 100% sure that you are thinking about the air intakes.

 

+1

 

Yeah uh, I have had a few cars with CAI's/SRI's... and this is not it :P

Guess Ill find out when I'll take er in. Its definately gear whine coming from the transmission/rear, hopefully it is not a indicator of anything super major.. Welp Ill keep my fingers crossed.

 

Do you think maybe you need to have your belt tensioner adjusted?

 

I guess not then, i hope it's nothing major as well. good luck with the solution

 

That's the transmission noise. Quite a few people have that noise. I guess it's normal. When the transmission is warmed up, the noise most likely will go away. Mine used to go away when I was still on the stock trans fluid, but right after I changed the fluid to Royal Purple, the noise doesn't go away even after I have been driving for hours. I have an 05 with 38K, and so far I have not had a single problem with the car. In fact I haven't even done any tune-up yet. damn..i am lazy

 

I have it also. I can't tell from inside whether it's really the tranny or differential but it's one of the two.

The sound is normal.